The rumors are absolutely true.
I am having my mid-life crisis a little early. I will explain that later.
Just indulge me for a moment right now, would you, my dear sweet lovers? Vote on which photo I should use as my profile picture, the one that goes over there in the right side bar -->
Smile is the photo I have been using for the last two years. It's the best picture I had of myself when I first started The Delicious Life. In fact, it was the only photo I had of just myself, sans distraction of other people or too much other background "noise" because how many people have portraits of themselves just laying around in a folder labeled "Sarah" on their hard drives?!
Right.
The photo is a decent representation of me, but it is two years old. That's like running around with your very first driver's license even though you're 32! Not that I'm 32...
Kiss Kiss is a more recent photo, but it's almost a little too, ohidontknow, racy?
Would you mind helping me pick which one I should use from this day forward, to have and to hold, until the Internet dies or I have yet another breakdown, do we part? Go back to the original Smile, or just keep Kiss Kiss, or screw them both and go with an anime representation of me: a chubby, pink, screaming monkey wearing a tiara?
Vote in the comments. Vote often. Vote early. I won't even mind if you vote anonymously (you anonymous, lurking chicken).
Now about that mid-life crisis thing. Mid-life. Middle of life. First of all, if this is truly a middle-of-my-life crisis, what? Am I going to keel over when I'm 46 years old?!?! Okay, so maybe I'm not 23 years old right now, but maybe that is precisely the point, hmmmm?
I went bonkers this past weekend. I am talking c-r-a-z-y bonkers. I didn't actually have a weird femotional breakdown wherein I sit on the edge of my bed in a faded five year old pink terry cloth Juicy jumpsuit crying my eyes out and staring at tiny pigeon's feet at the corners of my eyes and hahafuckyougeezer laugh lines around my mouth. I don't do breakdowns. No, I just sort of lost my mind, which yes, I realize isn't possible when you've already lost your mind, but I mean I went all kinds of crazy.
I cleaned my house.
Yes, cleaning my house is an act of utter insanity because I never use the attachments on the vacuum. I used the attachments. I never move my couch to suck up the little dust bunny foo foos. I am a small person. I moved my couch. Crazy people have weird strength, you know. I took every bag, bottle, box, can, out of the pantry, tossed out the ones that had expiration dates of like, you know, 1987, used my Brother label maker and labeled containers, even though I know they are flour, sugar, brown sugar, sea salt, and Kosher salt. I even went onto the patio and cleaned the sliding glass doors from the outside. Who the hell cleans the outside of sliding glass windows? With Windex? That's like making your bed every morning even though it's just going to get all messed up within 18 hours.
I made my bed, too.
I went outside through the pristine clean sliding glass doors and mopped up the concrete patio, wiped down the railings, went through the painstaking process of identifying naughty bulbs and replacing them on the string of Christmas lights so they would light my patio up at night into a sparkling romantic terrace...for one, picked out every dead leaf and branch from my plants and re-potted and watered them all with a silent prayer that they would resuscitate from the dead.
Laundry - done. Dishes - done. Kitchen floor, bathtub, toilet. Donedonedone. I pulled everything, and I mean ev-ree-last-damn-thang, from my refrigerator, scrubbed down every visisble surface with 409 (which has probably rendered my refrigerator more of a chemicalaceous hazard to my health than it was) and just as I was about to put all the condiments back because really, that's all I have in my ManFridge™, I tossed them all into the French Connection shopping bag that was serving as a trash bin. I threw out stacks of magazines that had been tossed into a pile month after month, unread. I re-organized of closet which resulted in eight, yes eight, yes one dozen minus four, bags of clothes for Goodwill. I re-arranged pictures on the wall, then thought better of it and took them down completely. Maybe I had inhaled too many fumes. Maybe I should have laid off the wine while cleaning. With each new mini-mini-project within my house, my eyes grew wider. My hair got wilder. Things *trash!* around my house *tossed!* went from mess *garbage!* to clean *goodwill!* to hyper-organized *dumpster!*...to empty.
I didn't just clean my house.
I cleaned house.
I wanted to pop over to the nursery and pick out some gorgeous new Sago palms and Jades for the patio. I wanted to go to the grocery store to buy fresh new condiments, re-stock my pantry, fill up my wine rack, breeze through Barnes and Noble for some news books to read and to put on a brand new coffee table. I wanted to buy new artwork for my walls. No, I wanted to commission an artist to paint something especially just for me and my walls because now I think I'm the fucking d'Medici family.
I wanted to go to Bloomingdale's and pick up a brand new set of luxurious Hotel linens, plush towels, and while we're at it, toss in that dress, that dress, and that one over there, those jeans, a couple of pairs of skyhigh heels, and that cute little clutch. I could use a massage. I need a facial. I should go and chop off my hair and go with a short, sexy sophisticated style.
I think I want a new car.
Hell, I should buy a house!
New! Fresh! Buy! Buy! Buy!
See? Crazy. Mid-life crisis resulting in wild thoughts of spending money that very painfully, I do not have. I drank instead. My belongings weren't the only things to get trashed this weekend.
So I resort to "cleaning up" and making little changes to The Delicious Life. Vote for a picture okay? Else I met get all crazy and change the blog to hot pink
font on a pale pink background.
But at least I'll be blogging from a spotless house.
** a year ago today, i didn't have a slice of diaper cake at la terza ****
** two years ago today, dim sum knew who i was at vip harbor **
tags :: food : and drink : blog : blogging : reviews : los angeles
texican says
How about using the picture of you holding the bit of steak with chopsticks from the Oct. 4th, 2005 entry "Almost, Almost Famous - An Interview"?
But if I had to choose between the first two, I would say pucker up.
eugene says
My vote if for a new pic if you can swing it. I like both, but prefer the smile (much like 99% of the population, I'm a sucker for a great smile, which of course, in turn, means I think you have a great smile). The reason I suggest a new pic is that the kiss kiss picture looks better (i.e. lighting, color reproduction, skin tones all in a nice glowing light) versus the smile pic looks like it was lit with a standard point and shoot digital camera flash.
Okay recap, I like smile the best, prefer the composition/look of kiss kiss, vote for new pic (although not the suggested anime of a "chubby, pink, screaming monkey wearing a tiara".
little_bounce says
I think the smile is the "better" pic, in the sense of it being pretty and doesn't distract from this being a food blog.
My bf thinks the kiss kiss one is very cute, but has no verdict otherwise because he doesn't read you!
TRAN! says
I like them both, but the smile one is a bit dull on the color side. the kiss kiss is brighter.
Anonymous says
I like both but am leaning towards the "kiss kiss", probably because it's newer.
Catherine says
kiss kiss - and holding a lollipop.
okay, maybe sans the lolli...but how about something that also displays your passion for food, fashion, and beauty? (could be silly and racy)
the new one is lovely though, it's eye candy (not that the old one wasn't), so i wouldn't sweat it.
as long as you don't "smell like a baby prostitute", i think you'll be fine. ;)
Anonymous says
Kiss. Definitely.
Anonymous says
Where's the love for the anime monkey?
I'd vote for a new smile pic. I know it's not one of the options, but as had been said, the kissy one just looks better as a photo. Take a new smiley.
Anonymous says
So vain. Isn't this a food blog? All you do is write about yourself. How about no picture of yourself?
Anonymous says
Smile. Kiss Kiss makes you seem like you're trying too hard.
vegasguy says
I vote for the smile because really, seeing you smile never gets old.
BTW like the blog. I just found it recently. Some of the entries are absolutely hilarious.
Stephanie says
You know I vote "Kiss Kiss". I think it's a fantastic photo!
lawngnomelover says
I vote "kiss kiss." It's playful and sexy. Makes me want to come back and read what you have to say about non-food things too.
lawngnomelover says
I vote "kiss kiss." It's playful and sexy. Makes me want to come back and read what you have to say about non-food things too.
Charlie says
kiss kiss. It's both fun AND saksi. =)
Anonymous says
The kiss kiss is sexier...
Anonymous says
The kiss kiss is sexier...
nosh says
Strong vote for the smile. Friendly, nicer lighting. The kiss one lacks any subtlety and looks like the flash was much too bright.
I would be much more likely to read and take seriously the smile.
i like cow says
I vote for a new smile pic as well.....although a pic of you eating that Houston's burger with juices running down both arms would be Delicious as well...
Monkey was a close #2 (very close)
i like cow says
I vote for a new smile pic as well.....although a pic of you eating that Houston's burger with juices running down both arms would be Delicious as well...
Monkey was a close #2 (very close)
sarah says
so far, it looks like 8 for kiss, 5 for smile, and about 3 and a half for something new...
and anonymous hater: you are 110% correct. i am so totally, utterly, absolutely vain. i'm a blogger. now excuse me while i check my lip gloss in the mirror on my desk.
Anonymous says
kiss kiss
s@bd says
kiss kiss, baby.
s@bd says
kiss kiss, baby.
assa says
Hey Sarah,
Let's call like it is....you are really a tease inside a 'big-brain'. :)
I like either photos…they are both ‘delicious’.
The SMILE…the wonderful, inviting smile that displays the symmetry of the upturned lips leading to the perfect cheekbones. So very sophisticated.
But the kiss-kiss photo is sooooo SEXY and fun, with the feigned pucker, the interplay of the lights and shadows drawing the viewer’s attention to the cleav…oops, to follow those perfect cheekbones up and to wonder what emotions are being expressed by the mysteriously hidden “eyes”!!! Will we ever see your eyes???? I guess this gets my vote after all!!!
How about a new photo incorporating all these wonderful attributes?
Luv your site…food genre…or not
Justin says
i vote for the old smile. seems more honest and genuine as i feel the kiss-kiss picture is a bit contrived.
that said, it's just depends on where you are in your life. maybe you want a picture that best reflects how you feel - maybe you're more mature than a few years back or just feeling really sexy these days! the choice is yours, afterall.
okay, enough psycho babble. i vote for the smile.
FoodZealot says
Smile.
How about a photo session?
~Tad
FoodZealot says
Smile.
How about a photo session?
~Tad
Mark says
Smile for this blog, Kiss Kiss for fashion...both more appropriate for the audiences even though we love you as one and the same. Of course an updated Smile wouldn't be bad either...
kenneth says
I say use the classic smile.
Dave Dean says
Kiss
Chubbypanda says
Smile.
Anonymous says
I like Smile better. Kiss kiss is too much of a distraction from all the other great food pictures. Love your blog, BTW.
aqua says
i found your blog from tastespotting (and i don't remember how i found that) but when i first saw it i thought it was pure porn. food=sexay; ergo, kiss kiss picture so not too racy for a sexay food blog
aqua says
sorry, i thought tastespotting with all the pretty pictures pure porn, not your site...
love your blog btw too
Anonymous says
Kissy face, for sure!
Anonymous says
Kissy face, for sure!
eugene says
Sarah - voting again since it seems I'm losing. If new pic (of smile) isn't going to happen, I'm going to have to go for smile over kiss. Kiss is sexy no doubt. But the smile is pure joy.
Malin says
KISS KISS---so kawaii sexie! But your SMILE pic is great too. I think you should take a 3rd pic and let us vote again.
Passionate Eater says
Both are very cute (and probably very "you"), so I think you should alternate use between them! Every other five seconds, the alternate picture would display. Also, don't worry about the anonymous hater, I've gotten a few of those hateful "anonymous" comments before, but those comments just mean that your blog is so good, that "anonymous" keeps reading! He/she is just jealous.
Anonymous says
Both great pics. Have liked seeing the new one lately though, prob because it is a change. Change is good. Morph them. Take a third one and Smile while posing like Kiss Kiss. Great blog. Great blog. Not sure why your not writing for a magazine... LA Times, etc... or are you?
Anonymous says
Kiss has the advantage (or disadvantage) of actually looking like you. Smile, not so much.
Sheri says
kiss kiss is definitely more fun. go with it. or get a new one taken if you feel its too racy. either way, girl, you're cool.
Anonymous says
Totally agree with Passionate Eater. Both pictures are great and 'very' you, so the alternate display is a great idea. But, if I must pick, I think Kiss Kiss is 'more' you.
I see a lot of love here, including the one who loves to hate your blog. I love love your blog! =)
Anonymous says
Kiss Kiss all the way ... yeah baby, yeah!!!
texican says
I smell a contest coming up!
Sarah will have several pictures taken, then posted. People will be able to vote for their favorite entry and the winning shot will be put into her signature.
Either that or I smell bacon.
sarah says
you guys are all way too much fun and yes, very much indulging me, so thank you. you have no idea how much i need you guys right now. *blinks away the beginning of tears*
now...
11 more for kiss, bringing the total up to 19. 5 more for smile, bringing the total to 10.
though kiss looks like it's ahead, i am beginning to like this idea of taking another picture.
either that or...i'm very oddly...hm...weird...craving bacon?
oh and one more thing...WHO IS PERPETRATING DAVE DEAN?? naughty friends, i have. ;)
JF says
a picture of da booty!
i kid i kid...kiss kiss for me.
dave dean...you still owe me $150 for GV NYE!!!!
Digweed/MSTRKRFT this Saturday @ Giant...can you digg it!
JF says
a picture of da booty!
i kid i kid...kiss kiss for me.
dave dean...you still owe me $150 for GV NYE!!!!
Digweed/MSTRKRFT this Saturday @ Giant...can you digg it!
Anonymous says
The color seems to be really off in both of the photos. The smile photo is really red and the Kiss photo, by comparison, is kinda yellow.
Either way, I like the Smile better. Just touch up the color!
JR says
Get a new one. Like the production values of the new photo (did you take the other one from a student ID?), but it's too racy in a non food way. At least be doing vulgar things to a Persian cucumber if you're going to have a racy new photo.
Dwighty says
The stars say there's more than one flavor of Sarah, so why not a slide show to tease us who looove u, sweetcakes?
Dwighty says
The stars say there's more than one flavor of Sarah, so why not a slide show to tease us who looove u, sweetcakes?
Annix says
one more for kiss kiss - delicious! :)
Anonymous says
While both look great, it's time for a change. My vote goes for kiss kiss (unless you're in the mood for an entirely new picture; that would work, too)
christopher lawrence says
i vote for a new pic
eugene says
damnit, there's no way I can make the votes catch up... I guess I lose. Well can it really be losing, kiss kiss is a great pic too. Hmm, maybe I'll spend an inordinate amount of time posting votes for smile (or actually new pic) anonymously...
eugene says
damnit, there's no way I can make the votes catch up... I guess I lose. Well can it really be losing, kiss kiss is a great pic too. Hmm, maybe I'll spend an inordinate amount of time posting votes for smile (or actually new pic) anonymously...
Silvana says
go for "kiss kiss", joyfull!
jason says
i vote kiss kiss.
it reminds me of blue steel.
except not gay.
Anonymous says
A new picture but with a smile!
aqua says
ha!
nice smackdown on the anonymous hater! love it!
Hyun says
kiss kiss. although the smile is nice as well. will there ever be a full picture showing your eyes as well?
eugene says
Voting for smile. (Actually new smile pic is my vote). Still like kiss kiss. Though I now have another suggestion. With some people clamouring for a full face pic of the, I'm assuming, gorgeous Sarah, why not oblige them with the one of you in the archives (baby pic).
eugene says
Damnit, can't edit the previously made comments. From your sidebar:
"the only full face picture of Sarah you'll ever see"
Hmm, here's to hoping I remember some basic HTML coding. Or that blogger accepts ahref tags....
eugene says
Damnit, can't edit the previously made comments. From your sidebar:
"the only full face picture of Sarah you'll ever see"
Hmm, here's to hoping I remember some basic HTML coding. Or that blogger accepts ahref tags....
Anonymous says
Kiss kiss.
I shudder to think about that pink teddy thing you mentioned.
Kate The Great says
I love Kiss Kiss. It's dramatic, racy and hot! All you need is a feather boa and then it would be perfect ;)
Jessica says
*Kiss*Kiss* for sure!!!
BUT take a new picture and post it...then we can vote between the *Kiss*Kiss* and the new one!
LurkerGrrl says
I vote for smile. Kiss is too contrived. Besides, you have a nice smile, show it off!
assa says
Hey Sarah,
This lil ol' poll is really growing and taking on a life of its own.
"Julian said:
a picture of da booty!
i kid i kid...kiss kiss for me."
I've seen the photo of the middle 3/4 of the 'kiss-kiss' ensemble...an exquisite booty indeed! lol!!!
So...kiss kiss and a new photo!
assa says
Hey Sarah,
This lil ol' poll is really growing and taking on a life of its own.
"Julian said:
a picture of da booty!
i kid i kid...kiss kiss for me."
I've seen the photo of the middle 3/4 of the 'kiss-kiss' ensemble...an exquisite booty indeed! lol!!!
So...kiss kiss and a new photo!
Tim says
kissy kissy!
vroom says
smile is cute but kiss kiss is hot! I always like cute but hot is so...hot. One vote for each!
sarah says
HAHA! thanks for voting all...
and assa - do i know you? how have you seen the middle three-fourths of me!??!
sarah says
HAHA! thanks for voting all...
and assa - do i know you? how have you seen the middle three-fourths of me!??!
Neil says
I like the smile one 100x better.
Anonymous says
I love the Kiss Kiss picture. I vote for you to keep that one.
GT says
Ok, apparently every vote counts...I'm all for "Kiss Kiss" because this blog is about food and your love life. "KK" blends the two better than "Smile," which is more G-rated. Who wants a G-rated love life right?
Henry says
i like gt's comment. although, if this is about food and your love life, i gotta say go with smile all the way. it's clean, confident, and beautiful.
sorry to say, but kiss kiss is a bit contrived with the sucked in cheeks. if you want sexy, retake smile and throw in some cleavage from kiss kiss!
eugene says
Yeah, so the updated post needs it's OWN comments section. Quite the missive you've written. Congrats on the clean house. While it might take crazy to do it, it's always nice when it's done (though by principle I'm against hiring others to clean my house, my aversion to dusting might require it).
Umm, another vote for new pic. I'll refrain from asking you to sex it up. (Not saying it wouldn't be nice, but it's a bit ungentlemanly).
Sai says
Gotta say "kiss kiss", since it has that sexy look. The "smile" has a "nice girl" vibe to it. Haven't been to your site for a while, I came looking for a review for "Surah" since I'm planning to check it out soon.
Eddie Lin says
My favorite rock band KISSx2.
Anonymous says
What are you hiding, show your whole face. And where did you get that shirt...love it!
Anonymous says
Kiss Kiss! It is so hawt. W.r.t. cleaning & shopping therapy: nesting instinct?
U says
I vote for smile...
JF says
now don't go pink is the new blog on us now!!!!
Anonymous says
am a new reader to your blog, and i love it.
i vote for kiss, kiss...it's not racy...but sassy...just like your reviews!
sarah says
so, the current totals are:
kiss: 37
smile: 15
it's looking like kiss or a new picture.
jr: why do i always love that smart voice of yours? miss you. come down to visit. i need a dinner date :)
anonymous shirt lover: the shirt, which is super old (and deserves to go into the goodwill bag), is from bebe.
anonymous nesting suggester: totally a nesting instinct. i feel the need to nest. and nurture. i want a teeny tiny cuddly something to take care of.
i want a puppy.
how do i adopt a puppy? does anyone know? do i just go to puppydotcom and place an order online? will they ship it to me? can i pay extra for overnight express delivery? what's the return policy on puppies?!?!
english bulldogs and boston terriers are my favorites.
Phil says
Kiss. Change is good. Do it all. And get ready for your second and third mid-life crisis. They be coming too.
Anonymous says
Hmmm, a puppy? Try
http://www.rescuebulldogs.org or http://www.bostonrescue.net though they're more likely to older animals.
BTW: I'm adoptable and already house trained %^)
Naomi says
I am horrible for judging you on photos of your chin. But, I like your first photo. The other photo (kiss) I don't identify with as much. You look beautiful in both photos, but kiss is just not the girl that I get cool recommendations for great food.
Maure says
c'mon - smile.
so much sexier and, dare i say,
less foodie.
smile, oy vey miss sarah.
assa says
Hey Sarah,
-in my dreams
-titillated
kiss-kiss and eyes!
Soooo...when will the final results of this poll be announced and implemented????
Anonymous says
i like kiss kiss! :)
Anonymous says
i like kiss kiss! :)
akuban says
kiss kiss
jes says
OMG I'm going through this nesting stage too. I moved all my bedroom furniture (bed/tv armoire/dresser) on my own, and vacuumed 5 years worth of dustbunnies. My husband was amazed that I was able to move all that furniture since I suck at lifting things (I was able to drag/rock them if that makes any sense?) And I've been on a painting kick. Anyhow, I figured it was out of boredom since I'm unemployed (going on 6 long months)...but who knows?
About the pics, I liked both, but I think the kissy pic is very sassy and matches your personality from what I've read so far :-)
btw, I finally tried the korean beef soup recipe, I f'd up somewhere cuz it didn't have the flavor...maybe not enough of the beef bones or too much water. Even when I try my mom's recipe it never turns out *shrug*
abraxis says
Kiss kiss is fine fine
No pink blogs please! They hurt the eyes. Along with their content...
Anonymous says
** Kiss Kiss ** for sure!
I stumbled upon your blog -- great stuff!
Someone should be paying you for this!!!!!
sarah says
anonymous: "paid." that would be...marvelous, wouldn't it?
*sigh*
Mary says
I. love. kiss kiss. Keep it.
Mary says
I. love. kiss kiss. Keep it.
Matt Schantz says
Both make me angry! Take a picture of you holding a big-ass cleaver spattered with blood. Or: Carrie at the prom (post pig's-blood spattering).
Anonymous says
A smile is good, a kiss is better.
I seriously think I'm in love....
blush......sigh..........
Anonymous says
Neither
Anonymous says
Neither
Silverlake Bodhisattva says
smile
satarkb says
KISS KISS
am i too late?
Anonymous says
smile!
Evette says
I love them both! I love the smile picture, but it's dark (contrast) compaired to the kiss, kiss picture. Um, I would do the Kiss, Kiss picture. Hope this helps. Either or, you're just too cute!
the clam says
The kiss/kiss picture scares me. It has since the first time I saw it and every time since. I will let you decide if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Take another picture - you know you want to...
Virginia says
i vote for a new smile picture as well. or a picutre of you eating something delicious (might also be too racy).
Virginia says
i vote for a new smile picture as well. or a picutre of you eating something delicious (might also be too racy).
taz says
smile was my girl back in college. kiss kiss was my girl right after college. you'll find yourself soon.
Anonymous says
Oh,god you're such a slow writer - thinker if you can think at all
Anonymous says
Get to the point for god's sake